Most Major Airlines Announce Fare Discounts

Most major airlines announced fare sales for fall travel Monday , the first industrywide ticket price decrease in several months.

Northwest Airlines, the nation’s fourth-largest airline, kicked off the fare sale during the weekend, with its computer system posting some off-peak prices discounted by as much as 25%. United Airlines, the nation’s largest carrier, and No. 2 American Airlines were among those matching the sale, which includes most of the continental U.S., Hawaii and Canada.

Other carriers offering discounts include US Airways, America West, Continental, Trans World Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Northwest said the discounts would remain in effect for travel to most destinations through Dec. 17. Advance purchase is required, a 14-day maximum stay applies to most destinations and tickets must be purchased by Aug. 13. A Saturday night stay is required and tickets are nonrefundable.

The fare sale doesn’t apply during the heavily traveled Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with no discounted fares for travel on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 28.

Some fare examples include an off-peak round-trip fare of $446 from Chicago to San Francisco with advance purchase, compared with an everyday price of $594, he said.

Many international flights were announced as part of the sale as well, but those discounts have actually been available for more than a week, according to Tom Parsons, who operates a Web site that tracks travel costs.

Parsons cautioned that consumers could get better fares through some spot sales rather than through the new systemwide offer.